Scholars Day: April 15, 2009

Outreach Methods for Victims of Domestic Violence

Services available for victims of domestic violence are relatively new and have limited funding. The estimated number of women in abusive relationships is almost 2 million. Each year 1,500 of these women are murdered by their partners. (Shortstack, 2001). Yet there are 3 times as many shelters for abused animals then shelters for abused women and children (NiCarthy, 2004) These statistics are at odds with the number of victims in need of services. The purpose of this exploratory research is to assess the most effective methods to educate women who are in abusive relationships about services available at a local battered women’s shelter. The question is: What is the best way to educate victims about services? Women who attend community support groups at a local battered women’s shelter completed a demographic sheet, and a survey. The survey measured the means by which women who attend the meetings learned about the shelter and their thoughts on effective ways to educate other women about services.